Gender Equality: The Best Performing Countries

February 20, 2020

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made significant strides towards gender equality, as revealed by the annual World Bank report titled ‘Women, Business and the Law 2020’. This report, which assesses 190 economies, identifies the UAE as one of the top ten countries making notable progress in this regard since 2017.

The UAE’s impressive improvement is underscored by a substantial increase of 29.4 points in its overall score, reaching an impressive 56.3 across various indicators. The study highlights advancements across five key indicators: mobility, workplace, pay, marriage, and parenthood. As a result, the UAE stands out as the second most improved country, following Saudi Arabia, which saw a remarkable change in its score totaling 38.8 points.

In terms of mobility, the UAE has taken significant steps towards gender equality by ensuring that passport application procedures are the same for both men and women. This proactive measure contributes to enhancing women’s access to travel and mobility rights, fostering greater gender parity.

Moreover, the UAE has made substantial progress in addressing pay disparities between genders. The report acknowledges that the country has removed all job restrictions on women, enabling them to work the same hours and in the same jobs and industries as men. This move towards pay equality reflects the UAE’s commitment to fostering a fair and inclusive labor market.

Furthermore, the UAE has demonstrated its dedication to promoting gender equality within the realm of family and marriage. The report recognizes the UAE’s efforts in allowing women to be the head of the household and implementing legislation to protect women from domestic violence. These measures are essential in empowering women and ensuring their rights and safety within the family unit.

Overall, the UAE’s remarkable progress towards gender equality, as highlighted by the ‘Women, Business and the Law 2020’ report, underscores the country’s commitment to advancing women’s rights and promoting inclusivity and diversity. By addressing key areas such as mobility, workplace equality, pay parity, and family rights, the UAE is paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous society for all its citizens.